Applicator device for applying liquid coating to photographic prints



A ril 3, 1956 J H. BOOTH ETAL 2,740,374

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUID COATING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1 1953 ATTORNEYS April 3, 1956 J. H. BOOTHETAL 2,740,374

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUID COATING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTSFiled July 1, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5O 541L612 4s 44 54 (56 612 52 Min u1 I fi 64 Hill I, r o I I 1 l I FIG. 3

FIG. 6

INVENTORS 24 FIG. 9 ya (6% ATTORNEYS April 3, 1956 J. H. BOOTH ETALAPPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUID COATING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 1, 1953 FIG. 7

FIG. 8

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INVENTORS 346% M BY ATTORNEYS the invention, reference United StatesPatent APPLICATOR DEVICE F011 APPLYING LIQUID COATING T0 PHOTOGRAPHICPRINTS Joseph H. Booth, Belmont, and Vaito K. Eloranta, Boston, Mass,assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation ofDelaware Application July 1, H53, Serial No. 365,472 23 Claims. (Cl.118-241) This invention relates to a device for storing and applying aliquid coating composition to photographic prints.

The copending application of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 302,742, filedAugust 5, 1952, now Patent 2,692,675, for Photographic Accessorydiscloses a means for applying a liquid coating composition to afinished photographic print in. order to improve the stabilization ofthe print and to protect the print from such hazards as dirt, dust,fingerprints, scratching, the reaction with the print of chemicalscarried in the atmosphere, and the like. Heretofore, coating a print hasbeen accomplished by removing an absorbent element, charged orimpregnated witha quantity of liquid coating composition, from thecontainer in which it is provided and manually holding and rubbing theabsorbent element in frictional contact with the surface of the print tobe coated.

It is one object of this invention to provide a novel means for carryingand storing the coating composition and for applying it to a.photographic print.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel coating apparatuswhich may be conveniently attached to a camera.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel applicatorcomprising a means for holding a photograph in contact with a coatingelement carrying a coating compound while a photographic print is drawnthrough said applicator, the latter also including means for preventingthe scratching or marring of the surface to be coated.

A further object is to provide a coating means comprising a.coatingelement for applying the coating composition to a photographic print,said coating means incorporating a means for automatically presenting anew surface of the coating element .for contact with each successiveprint.

A still further object is the provision of a coating means wherein themeans comprising the coating element and coating composition isremovable and replaceable as .a unit.

Still another object is to provide a novel container means comprisingelements cooperating to form a scalable container in which is mounted acoating means carrying a coating, composition, said elements-beingadapted tofacilitate the coating of a photographic print.

Other objects of the invention will in partbe obvious and will in-partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elementsand arragement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature andobjects of should be had tothe following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention, the container for the coating element being mountedin itsholder and the assembly being wardly extending shown in operativeposition with a photograph inserted for coating;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one form of container showingthe top and bottom portions;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the tion of the container;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the container in a clcsedpositionsubstantially along a line corresponding to line 44'in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view along line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig.6 is a similar view along line 66 in Fig. 3;

Fig.7 is a plan view of the holder;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view in vertical section through the holderalong line 8-8 in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a view of a vertical section through the applicator, showing aphotograph in position for applying a coating and taken along line 5-5of Fig. 3.

This invention contemplates the provision of a coating device in aconvenient form and suitable for use with, and mountable on, a camera ofthe Polaroid Land'type wherein a finished photographic print may beproduced. The mechanism illustrated in Fig. l, by way of example,comprises a scalable container 20 removably mounted or retained in aholder 22 adapted for mounting on some device such as a camera.

As shown, container 20 comprises two major elements, a lower portion orchamber 24 (Fig. 2) and an upper portion or cover 26. Container 20 maybe formed of any suitable material and, for example, may be molded fromany suitable organic, plastic or resinous material. The lower element 24comprises a bottom 28, and four side and end walls 3%, each side wallbeing provided with two short flanges or lugs 32 and 34 secured to orformed integrally with the walls. The four walls 30 in conjunction withbottom 28 define an elongated, rectangular, open chamber on one end ofwhich is an extended portion centrally recessed with two upwardlyextended sides.36 provided with slots 38 and indented to form shouldersit The upper element or cover 26 (Figs. 2 and 3) comprises a top 42 andfour side and end walls 44, each side wall being provided with anL-shaped depending wall or flange 46 extending its entire length anddefining, in conjunction with the wall, a channel. Oneend of cover 26 isprovided with a centrally located, curved extension 48 on which are twopin-shaped lugs or stub shafts 50 and the other end is provided with arelatively short, outflange 52 to facilitate lifting the cover.

The widths across the outside of the upper element walls 44 are equal tothe respective Widths across the inside of the lower element walls 30,permitting the upper element walls 44 to extend a short way inside thelower element 24 and preventing any lateral movement of the two elementswith respect to one another when they are assembled to form a closedcontainer 20. The lower element side walls 30 are received by thechannel formed as previously indicated by walls 44 and flange 46 of theupper element. A rectangularly shaped gasket 54, for example of rubber,is preferably provided at the bottom of said channel or by beingadhesively'afiixed thereto. The lower element walls 30 abut'against saidgasket so as to hermetically seal the container when closed.

Stub shafts 50 of upper element extension 48 slide into slots 38provided in lower element 24, thus permitting the cover26 to be raisedor removed, or pivoted about-stub shafts 50. The aforementioned recessin lowerelement 24 is dapted to receive upper element extension 48.

A form of coating element 56 is shown as comprising an elongated coatingcylinder or roll 58 of any appropriate absorbent material supported byor formed about a shaft 60 and charged or impregnated with a quantity ofliquid coating composition in sufiicient volume to coat a plurality ofprints. Coating roll 58 may be of cotton top porr 2 or wool, and may beof woven or nonwoven fabric, of felt or of a batt of material, or of asponge such as cellulose acetate sponge. It is to be noted that thelength of coating roll 58 is proportional to the print size and shouldbe equal to the width of the print to be coated.

Coating element 56 may be rotatively mounted on cover 26 by somesuitable means which is inexpensive and will facilitate assembly. Apreferred mounting means comprises two laterally spaced supports 62formed integrally with or secured to cover 26, each support 62 beingprovided with a V-shaped notch narrowing to a round hole of the samediameter as shaft 60 in which said shaft is journalled. Shaft 60 isretained in the hole by making the width across the juncture of thenotch and hole less than the diameter of shaft 60, assembly beingeffected by forcing the shaft through the relatively narrow opening intothe hole.

In order to provide a new portion of the surface of coating element 56for contact with each successive photograph, a means is provided forrotating roll 53 to a new position each time said roll is raisedrelative to bottom portion 24 a suflicient distance to permit theoperator to insert another photograph for passage through the coater. Inthe form shown, such means comprises a ratchet wheel 64 affixed to orformed integrally with shaft 60, a resilient operating pawl 66 biased tothe left as seen in Fig 6 and affixed to lower element 24, and aresilient retaining pawl 68 affixed to cover 26 and biased to the right.

When cover 26 is raised to insert a photograph, ratchet wheel 64 iswithdrawn from contact with operating pawl66 which then moves to theleft to engage a new tooth of ratchet wheel 64 and acts against thetooth,

' causing ratchet wheel 64 to be rotated in a counterclockwise directionwhen cover 26 is closed with respect to lower element 24. Retaining pawl68 bears against ratchet wheel 64 so as to oppose clockwise rotationwhen cover 26 is raised and operating pawl 66 is withdrawn from contactwith ratchet wheel 64.

1 Holder 22 (Figs. 1, 7 and 8), adapted to be mounted on some devicesuch as a camera, comprises a channelshaped frame member 72 forreceiving and retaining bottom 24 of container 20. A retaining arm 76formed so as to provide for substantial strength and rigidity ispivotally mounted on pin 78 between two laterally spaced supports 74 onone end of frame member 72. A resilient biasing means such as torsionspring as coiled around pin 78 is provided to impart a bias (clockwiseas seen in Fig. 8) to retaining arm 76, urging the latter towar framemember 72. Retaining arm '76 comprises two lateral arms 82 extendingdownward between supports 74 and pivotally mounted on pin '78, a curvedextension 84 on one end, and two protruding lugs 86 which engagesupports '74 so as to oppose the tendency of retaining arm 76 to rotateunder. the bias of spring iii loop 65 of which engages curved extension84. The ends 96 of torsion spring 80 fit into slots in frame 72. Holder22 may be either molded from any suitable plastic or resinous materialor formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal in essentiallythe same functional form as illustrated and described. Holder 22 may besecured to a camera in any convenient position either temporarily orpermanently by suitable means such as screws,

bolts or rivets. Such means, by way of illustration, comprises a fiathead bolt 92 extending through a counterbored hole in holder frame 72,said bolt being adapter to be screwed into a tapped hole such as atripod receptacle provided in the camera.

The coating applicator is assembled by placing one end of container 20in the channel of holder 22 and sliding container 20 toward retainingarm 76 until curved guide flange 94 on the end of retaining arm 76coacts with the curved surface of the cover extension 43, lifting saidretaining arm and permitting container 20 to he slid into the assembledposition (Fig. 1). Retention of lowerelement 24 in channeled frame 72 iseffected A. by two inwardly extending lateral flanges or lugs 96 onframe 72 positioned so as to engage corresponding flanges or lugs 32 onlower element 24 while lugs 34 slide into grooves 93 provided in thesupport end of channeled holder 70.

Means are provided for releasably interlocking retaining arm 76 withcontainer cover 26. Such means comprises two downwardly extended fiangesor detents 109 with opposed spherical protrusions 102 adapted to bereceived and retained by corresponding spherical recesses 164 in theoutside walls 30 of cover 26. The width across the outside walls 39 iswidened slightly at recess 104, with a groove 106 extending from thenarrower portion of cover 26 to recess 104. The resiliency of the material of retaining arm 76 makes it possible to assemble the elements bysliding cover 26 between locking detents Mill and protrusions 102 untilprotrusions 162 are interlocked with spherical recesses E4. Theincreased width of the outside of cover 26 will provide a more sccureinterlocking while assembly is facilitated since looking detents 1520and protrusions 102 will readily slide along the narrow portion of cover26 through grooves 106 and into recesses 164.

The applicator device is adapted to be employed while mounted on somesuitable support such as a camera. With the holder 22 mounted on acamera, container 20, comprising coating means 56, may be inserted intoor removed, as a unit, from holder 22, permitting the latter to remainon the camera at all times. In order to coat a photographic print, theprint is inserted between cover 26 and bottom 24 of container 20 withthe surface to be coated in contact with coating roll mounted on cover26. Cover 26 may be raised with respect to bottom 24 by manuallyapplying a downward pressure to the angular, curved retaining armextension 48, thus rotating retaining arm 76 so as to raise cover 26interlocked therewith. When a print is in position between the containerelements, the aforesaid pressure is released and coating element 56 isheld in pressure contact with the print due to the bias imparted toretaining arm 76 by torsion spring acting through cover 26.

In order that a uniform pressure may be exerted on coating element 56, apad or protruding lug 119 is provided on cover 26 to coact withretaining arm 76 so as to supply a downward pressure to the end of cover26. With the surface of a photograph to be coated thus held in pressurecontact with coating roll58, the operator may manually pull or draw aphotograph through the coating device, thereby leaving a deposit ofcoating composition on its surface. When the photograph has been passedcompletely through the coating device, container 20 resumes a closedposition, thereby actuating the indexing means whereby coating means 56is rotated to a new position in readiness for coating another print whenthe process is repeated.

Means are provided for guiding the photograph through the coating deviceand for preventing the marring or scratching of the coated surface. Theaforesaid means comprise vertical guide edges 112 of L-shaped flange 46,and fillets 114 between the horizontal edge 116 of flange 46 and guideedges 112. Fillets slide along the blank margins of the photographicprint, serving to support cover 26 and prevent edge 116 of flange 46from coming in contact with the coated surface of the print.

Various means may be provided for renewing the s' ply of coatingcomposition or replacing the coating element carrying the coatingcomposition. A preferred means comprises replaceable container 29,described herein, which may be inserted 'm or removed from holder 22attached to the camera. it is suggested that a container may be suppliedwith each roll of film, said container carrying a volume of coatingcomposition sufficient to coat the prints obtained from the roll offilm. So, also, cover 26 withattached coating element 56 or coating:element 56 alone may be adapted to be replaceable, said limiting sense.

and comprising two relatively movable sections and an absorbent coatingmember impregnated with said liquid andmounted on one of said sections,said holding means cooperating with said sections to make accessiblesaid coating member, the latter being adapted to contact a ;surface of aphotographic print for applying a-coating to said surface.

2. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, holding means comprising tworelatively movable elements and spring means biasing said elementstoward each other, carrying means comprising two relatively movablesections, an absorbent coating member charged with said liquid andmounted on one of said sections, one of said sections being interlockedwith one of said elements, the other of said sections being releasablysecured to the other of said elements, said holding means 11rging;saidsections towards each other so as to hold said coating member in contactwith the surface of ;a photographic print drawn between saidsections forapplyingacoating to, said surface.

'3. Apparatus for applying liquid coating compositionto a photographicprint comprising, in combination, holding means comprising tworelatively moveable elements,

means for carrying said coating composition, the lastnamed meanscomprising two sections movable with respect to one another andcooperating toform a container, and an absorbent coating member chargedwith said liquid and mountedwithin said container on one of saidsections, said sections cooperating with said holding'means to make saidcoating member accessiblefor contact with the surface of a photographicprint positioned between said sections for coating.

-4. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to. aphotographic-print comprising, in combination, holding means comprisingtwo relatively movable elements .and spring means urging said elementstoward'each other,

means carrying said coating composition, the last-named .means beingretained in said holding means between said elementsand comprising twosections movable with're- :spect to one another, said sectionscooperating to form a scalable container when in a closed positiom-andanabsorbent coatingmember impregnated with said liquid and carried withinsaid container mounted on one of said sections, said coating memberbeing adapted to be rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographicprint .-for applying a coating to said surface, said elements of saidholding means being so constructed and arranged as 'to cooperate withsaid container sections for holding said container in its closedposition and for holding said coating member in contact with the surfaceof a print inserted between. said sections.

5. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, means carrying said coatingcomposition, said carrying means ,comprising two reiatively movablesections so constructed as toform a containerv when at a closedposition, holding :means comprising a holding ,elementformedto receiveand, retain one of said sections, retaining elementmovable with respectto said holding element and spring .tions.

6. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, means carrying said coatingcomposition, said means comprising two relatively movable sections soconstructed as to form a scalable container whenbrought together in aclosed position, holding means-comprising a frame member formed toreceive and retain one of said sections, means for mounting said framemember on a camera, a retaining member movably mounted on said framemember, spring means urging said retaining member toward said framemember, said frame member holding said container at its closed positionwithin said holding means, and an absorbent coating element charged withsaid liquid and carried within said container mounted on one of saidsections, said coating element being adapted to contact the surface of aphotographic print for applying a coating to said surface, saidretaining member cooperating with the other of said sections for openingsaid container to make said coating element accessible, and for holdingsaid coating element in contact with the surface of a print positionedbetween said sections.

7.'Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, means carrying said coatingcomposition, said means comprising relatively movable cover and bottomsections so constructed asto form a container when brought together in aclosed position, holding means comprising a frame member so constructedas to receive said bottom section, means retaining said bottom sectionwithin said member, a retaining member pivotally mounted on saidframemember, said retaining member being interlocked with said cover sectionand spring means biasing said retaining member toward said frame member,and .an absorbent coating element charged with said liquid-and carriedwithin said container mounted on one of said sections, said coatingelement being adapted to contact the surface of a photographic printforapplying a coating to said surface, said retaining member normallyholding said cover section in closed position with respect to saidbottom section and providing means for raising said cover section withrespect to saidbottom section andholding said coating means in contactwith the surface of a photographic print positioned between saidsections.

S. Apparatus'for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, means carrying said coatingcomposition, said means comprising relatively movable cover and bottomsections so constructed as to form a container when brought together ina closed position, said bottom section having lateral engagement lugs,holding means comprising a channeled frame member provided withlaterally opposed lugs and grooves, said member being so constructed andarranged that said bottom section is slidably receivedin said channel,said engagement lugs on said bottom ,section being engaged by said lugsand grooves on said member for retaining said element in said channel, aretaining'member movably mounted on said frame member, spring meansbiasing said retaining member toward said frame member, said framemember holding said con taincr mounted in said holding meansbetween-said members at its closed position, and an absorbent'coatingelegreases ment impregnated with said liquid and carried within saidcontainer mounted on one of said sections, said retaining 'member' beingso formed as to cooperate with said cover section to separate said coversection from said bottom section to make accessible coating meanscarried within said container on one of said sections, said coatingelement being adapted to contact a surface of a photographic printpositioned between said sections for applying a coating to said surface.

9. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, means carrying said coatingcomposition, said means comprising two relatively movable sections soconstructed as to form acontainer when brought together at a closedposition, holding means comprising a frame member adapted to receive andretain one of said sections, a substantially rigid retaining leverpivotally mounted on said frame member, and resilient means biasing saidretaining lever toward said frame member, means for releasablyinterlocking said retaining lever with the other of said sections, thelast-named means comprising lateral detents with inwardly opposedprotrusions mounted on said lever and extending toward said framemember, said other of said sections being retained between saidretaining lever and said frame member, said protrusions being releasablyengaged by corresponding lateral depressions in said other section, andan absorbent coating element charged with said liquid and carried withinsaid container mounted on one of said sections, said coating elementbeing adapted to contact the surface of a photographic print forapplying a coating to said surface, said retaining lever normallyholding said container in closed position and being capable of movingsaid one section with respect to said other section and of cooperatingwith said other sections for holding said coating element in contactwith the surface of a print positioned between said sections.

10. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, holding means comprising a framemember, means for mounting said member on a camera, a retaining memberpivotally mounted at one end on said frame member and spring meansbiasing said retaining member toward said frame member, means forcarrying said coating composition comprising relatively movable bottomand cover sections, said sections forming a container when broughttogether in a closed position, means comprising portions of said framemember for said bottom section for retaining the latter within saidframe member, said retaining member including meanstor releasablyinterlocking said member with said cover section, said retaining memberholding said cover section in a closed position with respect to saidbottom section while permitting movement of said cover section withrespect to said bottom section, and an absorbent coating elementimpregnated with said liquid, carried Within said container and mountedon one of said sections, said coating element being adapted to contactthe surface of a photographic print for applying a coating to saidsurface, said retaining member providing means cooperating with saidcover section to hold said coating element in contact with the surfaceof a photographic print positioned between said sections,

11. Inapparatus of the character described, in combination, means forcarrying a coating composition comprising two relatively movableelements, resilient means biasing said elements towards one another,absorbent coating applicator means impregnated with said composition androtatably mounted on one of said elements between said e.ements, saidapplicator means being adapted to contact the surface of a photographicprint for applying a coating to said surface when the latter ispositioned between said elements in contact with said applicator means,and indexing means associated with said elements and responsive tomovement of said elements relative to one another for partially rotatingsaid applicator means when said elements are separated for insertion ofa print therebetween so that a new portion of said applicator means ispresented for contact with the surface of each succeeding print.

12. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, holding means comprising tworelatively movable members biased toward one another, i cans forcarrying said coating composition comprising two relatively movablesections retained in said holding means and so constructed as to form acontainer when brought'together in a closed position, coating applicatormeans rotatably mounted within said container on one of said sections,said applicator means being adapted to contact the surface of aphotographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said printbeing held between said sections in contact with said applicator means,and indexing means for par tially rotating said applicator means so thata new por titon of said applicator means is presented for contact withthe surface of each succeeding print when said sections are moved withrespect to one another to insert a print therebetween, said indexingmeans comprising an operating member mounted on one of said sections anda member responsive to said operating member associated with saidapplicator means mounted on the other of said sections.

13. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means forcarrying a coating composition comprising two relatively rnovabiesections biased toward one another, coating applicator means rotatablymounted on one of said sections between said sections, said applicatormeans comprising a substantially rigid support shaft and a thickness ofliquid absorbent material surrounding said shaft and charged with avolume of said liquid coating composition, said applicator means be'mgadapted to be rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographic printfor applying a coating to said surface, and indexing means for partiallyrotating said applicator means so as to present a new portion of saidapplicator means for contact with each successive photograph when saidsections are moved with respect to one anotier for inserting aphotograph between said sections, said indexing means comprising aratchet wheel affixed to said support shaft, a resilient operating pawlaffixed to the other of said sections so as to engage and partiallyrotate said ratchet wheel when said sections are moved toward oneanother and a resilient retaining pawl mounted on said one of saidsections adjacent to and in contact with said ratchet wheel forrestraining the rotation of the latter when said operating pawl iswithdrawn from contact with said ratchet wheel.

14. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to aphotographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprisingtwo elements movable with respect to one another, a scalable containercomprising cover and bottom sections retained in said holding means,means for raising or pivoting said cover section with respect to saidbottom-section, means aflixed to one of said sections for sealing saidcontainer when said sections are brought together at a closed position,means comprising a portion of one of said sections for guiding aphotographic print through said container between said sections,applicator means mounted within said container on the other of saidsections, said applicator means being adapted to contact the surface ofa photographic print for applying a coating to said surface, said one ofsaid sections providing means for holding said applicator means incontact with said print, and means comprising a portion of one of saidsections for preventing the contact between said section and said coatedsurface.

15. In apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to aphotographic print, a scalable container comprising, in combination,cover and bottom sections, means comprising a portion of said sectionsfor pivoting or raising said cover section with respect to said bottomsection, means aifixed to one of said sections for sealing saidcontainer when said sections are brought together at a closed position,applicator means adapted to contact thesurface of a photographic printfor applying a coating to said surface,-means for pivotally mountingsaid applicator means within saidcontainer on said cover sec tion, saidbottom section providing means for holding a print in contact with saidapplicator means, said print being inserted between said sections andmanually drawn through said container in contact with said applicatormeans, means comprising a portion of said cover section 'for guidingsaid print through said container, means comprisinganother portion ofsaid cover section for supporting said section so as to prevent the samefrom con- 'tacting the coated surface of said print, and indexingmeans'for partially rotating said applicator means each time said coversection is raised orpivoted with respect to said bottom'section' toinsert a print.

16.'In apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to aphotographic print, a scalable container comprising, incombination,cover and bottom sections biased toward one another, means provided inextensions of said "sections for raising or pivoting said coversection'with respect'to saidbottom section, said bottom section 'be-"ing'so'constructed' as to form an open rectangular containerwithupstanding end and side walls, said cover sec- "tion "comprising arectangular member'with dependent end'and'side' walls adapted to fitwithin said walls of said bottom section,'each of said walls ofsaidcover section being'provided with an L-shaped depending'wallforminga channel therewith, sealing means comprisinga' rec "tangulargasket afiixed to said cover section within said channel, said walls "ofsaid bottom section abutting against "said-gasket between-the sides ofsaid channel for sealing said container in a closed position, andapplicator means "m'o'untedwithin said container on said'cover'section,said applicator means being adapted to contact the surface of aphotographic print for applying a coating to said surface,

said bottom section providing means for-holding said print in contactwith said applicator means.

17. In apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to aphotographic print, a container compris- -ing,in' combination, cover andbottom sections 'biased 'toward one another, means comprising portionsof said sections for raising or pivoting said cover section with re-"specttovsaid bottom section, applicator means mounted within saidcontainer on-said coversection, said. applicator means being adapted tobe rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographic print forapplying a coating to said surface, said cover section comprising arectangular member with depending side walls, each of said side wallsbeing provided with an L-shaped depending wall forming a channel withsaid side wall, said bottom section being provided with upstanding sidewalls so constructed and arranged as to fit within said channel, saidbottom section providing means for holding a photographic print insertedbetween said sections in contact with said applicator means, said printbeing manually drawn through said container in contact with saidapplicator means, means for guiding said print through said containerand comprisilng downwardly extended portions of said L-shaped dependingwall, said portions having vertical guide edges, the distance betweensaid edges being equal to the width of said print, said portionsproviding the ends of a slot formed by said cover and bottom elementsthrough which said print is drawn, and means for supporting said coversection so as to prevent said section from contacting the coated surfaceof said print, the last-named means comprising fillets between saidvertical guide edges and the edge of said L-shaped depending wall, saidfillets being adapted to bear on margins provided on said print.

18. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to aphotographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprisingtwo relatively movable members biased toward one another, a containerretained in said holding means and replaceable as a unit, said conforapplying a coating to said surface, the other of said sections providingmeans for holding said print inserted between said sections in contactwith said applicator, means comprising portions of one of said sectionsfor guiding .said print through said container, said portions comprisingthe ends of a slot formed by said bottom and cover sections throughwhich said print is drawn, and means comprising portions of said one ofsaid-sections for supporting said section to prevent said section fromcontacting the coated surface of a print, the last-named means beingadapted to bear on blank marginsprovided on said print.

'19. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating composition to aphotographic print comprising, in combination, holding means comprisingtwo relatively movable members and spring means urging said memberstowardone anothen'means for mounting said holding means" on a camera, acontainer retained within said'holding means between said members, saidcontainer comprising cover and bottom sections, means releasablyinterlocking one of said sections with one ofsaid members, the other ofsaid members including means for retaining the other of said sections,said'holding means cooperating with said container to provide means forpivoting or raisingsaid cover section with respect to saidbottomsection, means afiixed to'one of'said sections for sealingsaidcontainer when said sections are brought together in a closed position,said holding means normally holding said-container in closed position,applicator means mounted within said surface, the other of said sectionsproviding means for holdingsaid print inserted between said sections in.conmet with said applicator means mounted onsaid one sec tion,'saidsections being urged toward each other by'said "members of saidholding means, means for pivotally -mountingsaid applicator=means withinsaid container, in-

dexing means including a member secured to said applicator means and amember mounted on said other section, said indexing means beingresponsive to relative movement of said sections for partially rotatingsaid applicator means each time said cover section is pivoted or raisedwith respect to said bottom section for inserting a print between saidsections, means for guiding said print through said container, and meansfor supporting said one of said sections for preventing said sectionfrom contacting the coated surface of a photographic print, at least oneelement of said apparatus, including said container as a unit, beingreplaceable, thereby providing means for replenishing the supply ofcoating composition.

20. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, holding means comprising at least twoelements movable with respect to one another, carrying means comprisingtwo relatively movable sections mounted in said holding means, anabsorbent coating member charged with said liquid composition andadapted to contact the surface of a photographic print for applying acoating to said print surface, said coating member having a coatingsurface a portion of which is normally positioned for contact with thesurface of a photographic print, said coating member being mounted onone of said sections for movement with respect to said one section sothat different portions of said coating surface may be positioned forcontact with a print surface, said holding means cooperemanatv-atingwith said carrying means to move said sections with ing means comprisingtwo relatively movable members operatively connected to one another andspring means urging said members toward one another, carrying meanscomprising two sections movable with respect to one another to permitthe positioning of a photographic print therebetween, said sectionsbeing retained in said holding means between said members and urgedtoward one another thereby, liquid applicator means mounted on one ofsaid sections, said applicator means including a liquidabsorbent coatingmember charged with said liquid coating composition and adapted tocontact the surface of a photographic print for applying a coating tothe print surface, said coating member having a coating surface aportion of which is normally positioned for contact with the surface ofa photographic print, said coating member being mounted on one of saidsections for movement with respect to said one section so that difierentportions of said coating surface may be positioned for contact with aprint surface, and means associated with one of said sections and saidapplicator means and responsive to relative movement of said sectionsand cooperating for moving said absorbent coating member when saidsections are moved relative to one another in order to insert saidphotographic print between said sections.

22. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to the surface ofa photographic print comprising, in

Y combination, holding means comprising two relatively movable membersoperatively connected with one an other and spring means urging saidmembers toward one another, carrying means comprising twosectionsmovable with respect to one another and constructed so as to form acontainer when brought together in a closed position, said sectionsbeing so constructed as to be retained in said holding means betweensaid movable members, applicator means including absorbent means chargedwith a volume of said coating composition and having a coating surfaceadapted to be rubbed in contact with the surface of a photographic printfor applying a coating to said surface, said liquid applicator meanscarried within said container and rotatably mounted on one of saidsections with a portion of said coating surface in position to coat aprint, said holding means cooperating with said carrying means to holdsaid print between said sections in contact with said portion of saidcoating surface of said absorbent means, and indexing means mountedwithin said container on the other of said sections and said applicatormeans and responsive to the relative movement thereof for partiallyrotating said applicator means each time said sections are separated forinserting a print between the other of said sections and said applicatormeans.

23. Apparatus for applying liquid coating composition to a photographicprint comprising, in combination, holding means comprising tworelatively movable members operatively connected with one another andspring means urging said members toward one another, carrying meanscomprising two relatively movable sections so constructed as to beretained in said holding means between said members, coating applicatormeans including absorbent means impregnated with said liquid and havinga coating surface adapted to contact the surface of a photographic printfor applying a-coating to said surface, said coating applicator meansbeing rotatably mounted on one of said sections therebetween with aportion of said coating surface positioned to contact a print surface,said holding means cooperating with said sections to urge them towardone another, said print being held between said applicator means and theother of said sections in contact with a portion of said coating surfaceof said absorbent means, and indexing means secured to said applicatormeans and the other of said sections and responsive to relative movementthereof and cooperating for partially rotating said applicator meanseach time said sections are separated and a print inserted therebetween,said indexing means rotating said applicator means so that anotherportion of the surface of said applicator means is presented for contactwith the surface of each succeeding print.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,057,712 Crompton Apr. 1, 1913 1,385,022 Mock July 19, 1921 2,117,272Brooks May 7, 1938 2,213,749 Strauss Sept. 3, 1940 2,541,591 Lemmon Feb.13, 1951

